First World Problems: Baby, It’s Cold Inside

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First World Problems is a weekly advice column for India’s first world population. Write to Judy at contact@theswaddle.com (confidentially!) if you’ve broken a nail, felt a little blue, yellow or green lately,
or had a strange encounter of the any-numbered kind.

PROBLEM: The teacher at my son’s playschool is constantly telling me what to do for him. To the point of telling me to put a sweater on my son because the A/C is blowing on him. I knew the A/C was blowing on him. Also, my 3-year-old son can speak and say, “I feel cold.” What’s a polite — or not-so-polite — way of shutting her up?

Pretend you’re Amish and you’ve shunned the teacher for breaking a vase. He can feel all the cold in the world, but it wouldn’t be colder than the icings on your soul.

Ha. When in doubt, go for a cheesy song.

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PROBLEM: I went to a small party of friends last week, and I brought two friends with me who weren’t invited (the friend hosting didn’t know them) but I thought they’d really hit it off with everyone including the host. The host said it was OK when we showed up together, but I got a vibe from her. Was I wrong to put these two groups together?

I am the last person who should be doling out advice on party etiquette (because I don’t go to any), but going purely by common sense, I’d say it really depends on whether you were close enough with the hostess to take such liberties. And even if you were, you should’ve at least let her know earlier that you were bringing them, instead of just showing up. I mean, that’s just manners, don’t you think? Obviously, she’d say it’s okay. What is she supposed to do? Hire a bouncer to do the job for her? So, yes. Apologize and never do it again lest the news quickly spread and no one wants to invite you to their party. Heck, had you done it at my party, and I didn’t hit it off with those people, I’d think twice before calling you to the next one. And then you’d miss meeting Peter Quinn, Carrie Mathison and my two-and-a-half imaginary friends.

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Written By Judy Balan

Judy Balan is a bestselling author and blogger popular for her quirky, often self-deprecatory humour. She is a self-proclaimed expert at American pop-culture with a sitcom/romcom quote for all of life’s situations. Judy believes that if she’s made you laugh, smile or even snort in the middle of a stressful day, her job here is done. Follow her at her website judybalan.com, on Twitter @judybalan, or on Facebook.